Ryan Howard in touch with David Ortiz' pain

Credit: Christopher Evans

HAD IT ALL THE WAY: Center fielder Shane Victorino signals that he’s OK after smashing into the wall while making a catch in yesterday’s Red Sox game in Clearwater, Fla.

Credit: Christopher Evans

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard, left, looks down at Boston Red Sox's Jacoby Ellsbury after Ellslbury injured his heel in a pick-off attempt at first base during the first inning at Brighthouse FIeld in Clearwater, Florida on Sunday, March 24, 2013.

Credit: Christopher Evans

Boston Red Sox right fielder Shane Victorino falls after catching a ball hit deep by Philadelphia Phillies' Ryan Howard during the second inning at Bright House FIeld in Clearwater, Florida on Sunday, March 24, 2013.

Credit: Christopher Evans

Boston Red Sox teammates Will Middlebrooks, Jackie Bradley, Jr., and Jose Iglesias are unable to make a catch a fly ball hit by Philadelphia Phillies Laynce Nix during the fourth inning at Bright House FIeld in Clearwater, Florida on Sunday, March 24, 2013. Bradley was charged with an error.

Credit: Christopher Evans

Boston Red Sox's Jackie Bradley, Jr., plays left field against the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House FIeld in Clearwater, Florida on Sunday, March 24, 2013.

Credit: Christopher Evans

Brandon Workman

Credit: Christopher Evans

Jackie Bradley Jr.'s status on the Red Sox' Opening Day roster is still up in the air, but things are looking good for the center fielder.

Credit: Christopher Evans

Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell watch the action from the dugout as the Boston Red Sox plays the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House FIeld in Clearwater, Florida on Sunday, March 24, 2013.

Credit: Christopher Evans

Boston Red Sox's Shane Victorino ducks a high pitch from Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cliff Lee at Bright House FIeld in Clearwater, Florida on Sunday, March 24, 2013.

Credit: Christopher Evans

Red Sox reliever Daniel Bard, shown in Sunday's game against the Phillies, is struggling to break camp with the team.

Credit: Christopher Evans

Boston Red Sox's Jose Iglesias is caught in a run down between Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard, left, and Philadelphia Phillies' Chase Utley during the fourth inning at Bright House FIeld in Clearwater, Florida on Sunday, March 24, 2013.

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CLEARWATER, Fla. — Ryan Howard ruptured his Achilles tendon on the final at-bat of the 2011 NL Division Series, requiring surgery and causing the Philadelphia Phillies first baseman to miss the first half of last season.

But in some ways, he feels more fortunate than David Ortiz.

In the eight months since Ortiz suffered a mild tear of his right Achilles, he has encountered multiple setbacks, including inflammation in both heels that will prevent him from starting the season on time. Along the way, the Red Sox slugger has contacted several athletes who have dealt with similar injuries, including retired NBA star Shaquille O’Neal and Howard.

“I told him, ‘Take your time,’ ” Howard said yesterday before the Phillies faced the Red Sox. “I know it sucks, but it’s one of those injuries where it’s tricky. It takes a little bit longer than you would like. The first thing I said is, ‘Stay positive.’ ”

Howard noted one important distinction between his rehabilitation and the protracted process being faced by Ortiz. Because Howard underwent surgery, his Achilles was repaired. As Ortiz attempts to come back, he’s also trying not to avoid making his injury worse.

“I don’t know what might be tougher,” Howard said. “Mine hit that end point and, boom. But it was fixed, and now it’s rehabbed and it’s better. His is more of a continuous process. It’s like that continuous nagging to where you don’t know if it’s going to get worse. You’ve got to take your time.”

For Howard, progress was slow and incremental. At first, he wore a walking boot, later advancing to a modified shoe. For a while, he kept pads in his shoes to ease the pounding when he tried to run. Then, finally, he was able to go back to normal.

Even then, Howard had to train his mind to realize he wouldn’t reinjure himself. Like Ortiz, he is a big man, and when he runs, the 240-pound slugger puts extra strain on his legs.

“It may feel good to you to think you can play on it, but one move or if you feel a little bit of something in there, it’s going to hit you mentally,” Howard said. “That’s going to be the last thing to come where you feel 100 percent secure that there’s nothing wrong with it. That’s the mindset he’s got to have.”

Bard’s mixed message

All along, Daniel Bard has said he pitches better when the stakes are the highest. Suffice it to say, with a week until Opening Day and no guaranteed roster spot, the stakes are fairly high.

So, the right-handed reliever was pleased to strike out the side, including Jimmy Rollins and Howard, in the fifth inning. But Bard also allowed two hits, including a single to Chase Utley that drove in an unearned run in the Red Sox’ 7-6 victory.

“He’s still a work in progress,” manager John Farrell said.

In recent outings, Bard has had difficulty throwing strikes to the first hitter of an inning. This time, the first hitter was Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee, whom Bard struck out.

Bard is vying with fellow righty Clayton Mortensen for the final spot in the bullpen. Unlike Bard, Mortensen can’t be sent to the minors without being exposed to waivers, likely giving him a leg up in the competition.

“I pitch better when I feel like there’s something on the line,” Bard said. “I know there’s a lot on the line for me personally, and I think having guys in the box who are All-Stars every year kind of makes you bring it up to another level. That’s definitely who I would have picked to face — that part of the lineup.”

Victorino robs friend

Right fielder Shane Victorino shifted to center in the third inning after Jacoby Ellsbury exited with a jammed right heel. And Victorino promptly smashed his right hand into the wall while making a sensational catch to rob Howard of a hit.

But Victorino stayed in the game and took some grief from Howard, his former teammate and close friend.

Victorino, who spent eight seasons with the Phillies and won a World Series in 2008, got a nice ovation from the crowd before his first at-bat. . . .

Pitching prospect Brandon Workman got the start and allowed two runs in three innings. He’s expected to start the season at Double-A Portland.

As they Drew it up

Back in Fort Myers, Stephen Drew worked out and continued to make what Farrell termed “minimal” progress from a concussion suffered March 7. But while it’s still unclear if he’ll be ready for Opening Day, this much is certain: When he is ready to play, he will be the Red Sox’ starting shortstop.

“He was signed for that reason,” Farrell said. “A temporary injury situation is not going to alter our course on that.”

Jose Iglesias, who will fill in if Drew starts the season on the disabled list, went 3-for-3 with a double yesterday. He has seven extra-base hits this spring compared to one last year. . . .

Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia had been scheduled to make the trip, but after having a growth removed from his back last week, the incision opened. He’s expected to miss only a few days.